Only total abstinence from sexual contact offers 100% protection from pregnancy and STIs. Almost half of men (45%) and a quarter (26%) of women agreed that drinking alcohol had contributed to them having sex without using contraception. (ICCP, 2004). Be Drink Aware. (www.drinkaware.ie) You may not know if you have an STI. Up to 86% of women and 50% of men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms. (HPSC, 2008) Lots of people do not know when a woman’s most fertile time in her cycle is. Recent research found that only 31% of men and 56% of women knew a woman’s most fertile time. (ISSHR, 2006) Young people aged 20-29 have the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections. (HPSC, 2008) In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland. (HPSC, 2008) Practicing ‘Double Dutch’ (using condoms with other methods of contraception) will help you to have safer sex and prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs. Vomiting, diarrhoea, antibiotics and some other prescribed drugs can interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. In all instances another method of contraception should be used. The majority of contraception is 99% effective BUT only if used correctly and consistently.

Facts About STIs

  • Female and male respondents aged 18-24 years who experienced early intercourse were over two and a half times more likely to have had an STI compared to those whose first intercourse occurred at or after 17 years (ISSHR, 2006).
  • Young people aged 20-29 have the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections (HPSC, 2008).
  • At least 70% of women and 50% of men with Chlamydia have no symptoms (HPSC, 2008).
  • Up to 86% of women and 50% of men with gonorrhoea have no symptoms (HPSC, 2008).
  • Two out of three people who have unprotected sex with a partner with genital warts will develop the disease (HPSC, 2008).
  • In the space of ten years, there has been a 700% increase in cases of Chlamydia in Ireland (HPSC, 2008).
  • Between 1998 and 2003 the number of reported HIV infections rose by 243% (HPSC, 2008).

More information on STIs